The conversation around menopause has exploded in recent years. Awareness is growing — no longer do people carefully back away from me when I say I work in menopause, but we have a long way to go.
Too many women don’t realise that the anxiety, brain fog and joint pain, to name a few symptoms they are feeling, may be due to menopause. I recently spoke to a woman who knew something wasn’t quite right, yet all her medical tests were normal. A brief conversation about her symptoms left her feeling heard and determined to seek help.
Education and awareness empowers a woman to advocate for herself and to know what questions to ask in order to get the appropriate medical help.
Awareness in the workplace helps reduce the stigma around menopause and aging. Open conversations and support can help workplaces develop useful policies such as flexible work from home, sanitary products available in bathrooms, and access to desk fans, for example.
Education can help foster an inclusive and supportive work culture, boosting staff satisfaction and retention. It gives staff the tools to support their friends, colleagues and family members. I frequently get feedback from men, telling me they had no idea about the effects of menopause, or how to support their partner or colleagues.
The government is on board too — following the Senate inquiry into menopause last year, they recently announced modern menopause medications being included on the PBS from 1 March 2025, thereby making it more affordable for those who want it. There are funds for doctor education as well as a general public awareness campaign and higher Medicare rebates for longer medical appointments.
Yes, we are talking about menopause and hopefully there will come a time when menopause is understood, supported, and no longer a source of confusion or stigma.
After decades of silence, misinformation, and inadequate medical training, this awareness campaign is essential. Women need access to accurate information, doctors need better education on menopause care, and society as a whole must recognise that this is not just a “women’s issue” but a societal one. The more we educate now, the less we’ll need to talk about it in the future — because understanding will replace ignorance, and support will replace stigma.
